Darden First Year students participated in a full seven days of career programming in late November, part of a dedicated internship recruitment prep effort led by the Career Development Center (CDC). A recap of the week was captured on The Darden Report:
The week included Job Treks to industry hotbeds around the country, including visits with asset management leaders and alumni in Boston; venture capital and technology firms in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle; luxury retailers in New York City; every major bank in New York City via the 21st annual Week on Wall Street; investment banks in Charlotte, North Carolina; and an on-Grounds Consulting Camp in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Assistant Dean of Career Development Jeff McNish highlighted the wide variety of industries available to First Year students to pursue internships and careers.
“For the first time ever, every student in Darden’s First Year class was able to participate in career programming — whether on-Grounds or around the country — preparing the students to enter any major MBA hiring industry. Through close collaboration with Darden’s student-led clubs, network of alumni and recruiting partners, there truly was something for everyone.”
Senior Director of Investment Banking Careers Ed Yu led the Week on Wall Street in New York City, teaming up with the Darden Finance Club to lead student visits to 16 investment banks over five days.
Yu said the week allowed students to see bankers in their “natural habitat” and meet individuals who would be able to help during January recruiting. “This is especially important as more banks are moving toward a group-specific hiring model,” said Yu.
Senior Director of General Management and Marketing Careers Casey Floyd (GEMBA ’17) also led a New York City trek, partnering with the Darden Retail and Luxury Goods Club and Darden Technology Club to encourage 50-plus students to explore a terrific variety of firms and functions, including American Express, Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tiffany & Co. and Anhueser-Busch.
Meanwhile, on Darden’s Grounds, over 140 First Years took part in the School’s inaugural Consulting Camp.
A new collaboration between the Consulting Club at Darden and CDC, the event provided over 16 hours of educational panels and workshops hosted by individuals such as Dean Scott Beardsley, Senior Director of Consulting Careers Christy Gunville, and Brendan Boler, Darden Ph.D candidate, UVA School of Data Science Presidential Fellow and case interviewing expert.
The West Coast was also well-represented during the whirlwind week of programming.
Organized by Senior Director of Technology Careers Jenny Zenner (MBA ’03) and Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Director of Strategic Initiatives Robyn Swift, the West Coast tech treks and Batten Connect program offered First Years a unique look inside technology companies, venture capital firms and early stage companies. First Year Zarina Khan called the treks “pivotal” in affirming her desire to work in technology after graduation. “Hearing from Darden graduates at top tech companies like Google, Amazon and Microsoft showed me how what I am learning via the case method and what I am gaining from being part of Darden’s vibrant community will contribute to my success for years to come.”
Several First Year students also ventured to Boston and Charlotte for an exploration of private equity, investment management and banking.
“Asset management can be a difficult field for recent MBA graduates to enter,” said Senior Director of Financial Services Paul Reeder (MBA ’98). “By strengthening our relationships with Darden alumni in private equity and investment management, we hope to increase students’ chance of success in these markets. Fortunately, Darden alumni go above and beyond, which is immensely beneficial for students interested in these careers.”
View the full story on The Darden Report, including a complete list of the companies who participated in Darden’s cross-industry, coast-to-coast career treks.
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